Title: Convection Currents (How does the Inside of the Earth Move?)
Lesson Overview The purpose of this lesson is to use inquiry to further explore how density causes the movement of substances and how density affects the composition of the earth. This inquiry activity leads to a greater understanding of convection currents.
Objectives
1. Students will use the inquiry process to identify temperature as a condition that can change density of a substance and affect movement.
2. Students will analyze, summarize and discuss evidence relating to convection currents.
Materials Oil Water Molasses Conditioner Vinegar Beakers Hot plates Thermometers Ice Mitts (handling hot beaker
Links to Resources
Safety Issues
1. Students need to be very aware of the hot liquid and the heat of the hot plate.
2. Students also need to be informed of the liquid being hot and possibly bubbling out of the beaker. For this reason students will need to keep their hot plate on a medium setting only and NOT on high.
3. Students also need to know if they are not following instructions they will promptly be removed from the lab.
Instruction
Opening Same question of the day as yesterday …Today we are going to perform our experiments. We need to get right to work, but before we do I cannot emphasize safety enough. Who here has ever burned themselves on something hot? What did it feel like? I love you all, and I would hate to see any of you get burned. So please remember the safety concerns. Who can tell me what they are? Ok, so now that we got that business out of the way let’s begin in our groups from yesterday. (5 min)
Learning Activities Students will begin to conduct their experiments in which they measure and record data. In the handout that the students received yesterday there is a spot for the graphing and the data. At this time the teacher will circulate the room supervising the students, asking questions, and assisting groups challenged by the equipment. (30-40 min)
Closing In closing the students will go back to their desks where they can begin to work on the remaining two questions on their handout. Students will be informed if they do not finish the questions in class they will need to do it for homework. (10 min) Assessment Students will be assessed on their handout given a grade based on how the experiment was carried out. Having a measurable hypothesis, collecting data, and the answers to the final questions.
Homework Students will finish the final questions for homework if they do not finish them in class.
Unit: Plate Tectonics
Title: Convection Currents (How does the Inside of the Earth Move?)
Lesson Overview
The purpose of this lesson is to use inquiry to further explore how density causes the movement of substances and how density affects the composition of the earth. This inquiry activity leads to a greater understanding of convection currents.
Objectives
Materials
Oil
Water
Molasses
Conditioner
Vinegar
Beakers
Hot plates
Thermometers
Ice
Mitts (handling hot beaker
Links to Resources
Safety Issues
Instruction
Opening
Same question of the day as yesterday …Today we are going to perform our experiments. We need to get right to work, but before we do I cannot emphasize safety enough. Who here has ever burned themselves on something hot? What did it feel like? I love you all, and I would hate to see any of you get burned. So please remember the safety concerns. Who can tell me what they are? Ok, so now that we got that business out of the way let’s begin in our groups from yesterday.
(5 min)
Learning Activities
Students will begin to conduct their experiments in which they measure and record data. In the handout that the students received yesterday there is a spot for the graphing and the data. At this time the teacher will circulate the room supervising the students, asking questions, and assisting groups challenged by the equipment.
(30-40 min)
Closing
In closing the students will go back to their desks where they can begin to work on the remaining two questions on their handout. Students will be informed if they do not finish the questions in class they will need to do it for homework.
(10 min)
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their handout given a grade based on how the experiment was carried out. Having a measurable hypothesis, collecting data, and the answers to the final questions.
Homework
Students will finish the final questions for homework if they do not finish them in class.
Additional Notes
http://astroventure.arc.nasa.gov/teachers/pdf/AV-Geolesson-4.pdf
Lab modified from this source